Some of the litter pickers in action on Scafell Pike

Wasdale, home to England’s highest mountain and deepest lake, is looking a little more spruce after the efforts of a volunteer clean-up squad.

Almost 100 people joined in the Wasdale Fell Care Day, with 11 bags of rubbish collected from Scafell Pike and Wast Water.

A keg of Heineken and a wheel rim were among some of the stranger finds by the volunteers, along with 2m of drainpipe and six feed buckets.

The event was organised by the Friends of the Lake District, with the National Trust and Lake District national park who led tasks including Fix the Fells drain runs, upland path repair, a litter pick all the way to the top of Scafell Pike and the replacement of three new bridges at Fog Mire Beck.

The 71 volunteers and their 28 leaders were fuelled by copious amounts of cake, brought by the volunteers and staff and a local company.

Among the tasks completed were the repair of 15m of drystone wall, the clearing of an area of invasive rhododendron equivalent to one-and-a-half Olympic swimming pools, 15km of upland paths cleared and another 100m of path repaired.

Volunteers with some of the rubbish collected from Wast Water by the canoe team

Volunteer Rachel Brine, who works for Lowe Alpine, said: “Hard work, amazing views, warm, kind people, fixing the fells and cakes. What more could you ask for?

“An amazing day. I will definitely be coming again.”

Ruth Kirk, Fell Care project officer, said: “It was heart-warming to see volunteers congregating at Lake Head early on Saturday morning, all sharing a common purpose.

“Giving something back to the spectacular upland landscapes that provide so much for us all, from the water we drink to the food we eat and as a place for fun and recreation.

“Our volunteers ranged from eager Scouts right up to active retirees, and the feedback tells a tale of a fantastic day, full of camaraderie, hard work and a love of cake.”

A canoe litter-pick also took place in windy conditions led by Steve Ashall of West Lakes Adventure who supplied his time and boats free of charge.

The Friends of the Lake District’s next Fell Care Day will take place at Blencathra on Tuesday 22 September.